Emily Dawes, the student union president at Southampton University who sparked outrage by threatening to paint over a historic World War One mural, has resigned from her position. The 21-year-old, who lives with her family in Virginia, US, had been suspended after tweeting that the Rothenstein Mural should be 'taken down' because it depicted only white men, even if she had to 'paint over it myself'.
In a statement, Dawes said: 'After careful consideration I've decided that it's best if I step down from my role. I sincerely apologise for the offence and disrespect caused by my earlier comments, which were misinformed. I acted impulsively and as such fully accept how careless and hurtful my words were.'
The mural, painted in 1916 by Sir William Rothenstein, shows an unknown soldier receiving a degree and was created in memory of students and staff who died in the First World War. It was installed in the university's Senate Room in 2014 as part of centenary commemorations.
Two petitions calling for Dawes's resignation garnered over 21,000 signatures. History student Dan Lake, who started one petition, said her comments were 'not representative' of students. He added: 'It's a mural for people who left university to fight and didn't come back.'
Dawes had been due to return to her £20,000-plus role the day after Remembrance Sunday but instead announced her resignation, effective immediately. The Students' Union has also apologised for her comments.
